Whether you’re an industry pro or a novice, ordering a stage curtain, event drape, or backdrop can be confusing. Let us help. We produce thousands of custom curtains and drapes every year, quickly and expertly. We can help you with designing, specifying and budgeting the right soft goods for your stage production or special event.

Drape Design
Are you building a “Grand Drape” for a proscenium, an Austrian Curtain for a special event, an acoustical
banner in a concert hall or plain black stage masking? The design and application of your drape, as well as your chosen fabric will guide many of your curtain specifications.

Fabric Selection
Synthetic fabrics are typically Inherently Fire Retardant (IFR) and easily meet building codes around the world even after numerous washings. However these fibers are more prone to wrinkles and creases than natural fibers. Some other considerations include: if the fabric’s draping characteristics and width are consistent with your design; if the fabric’s stretch, over time, will eventually distort the look of the curtain.

Non fire retardant (NFR) Muslin is typically used for painted backdrops. Flame retardant can be added or applied after painting. Choose extra-wide widths for seamless drops. Standard width muslins are less expensive and a good choice if seams are not an issue. For non-painted backdrops, FR or IFR fabrics insure that your goods will meet local fire codes.

Fullness, Seaming and Lining
Typically, draperies made with more fullness appear more luxurious, have improved acoustical characteristics and are more opaque. The amount of fullness, pleating (or gathering) will vary with the style of the design, and the width of the fabric panels.
Flat, seamless fabrics are used for translucent drops and wide rear projection surfaces to insure there are no sewn seams casting shadows. If using narrower fabrics that get seamed together, consider which fabric width is the most cost effective given the overall size of your backdrop. Typically drops are “rail-roaded” i.e., built with horizontal seams.

Is your fabric selection opaque enough for your drapery, or does it need to be lined to insure it can provide a true black out? Is the installation permanent or temporary?

Side & Bottom Finishes
Will the leading edge of your drapery be seen by the audience and require a turn-back side hem?
The taller the backdrop, the more likely it is that the side edges of the fabric will fold, flop or “hourglass.” Specify a side finish which minimizes this distortion. In some cases it’s necessary to create side tension to stretch the backdrop to remove wrinkles. Grommets and tie line can be used if you have rigid scenery to which it can be tied. Some rigging allows for vertical cables to hold the sides of the backdrop stretched out taut. The Rose Brand Stretcher Frame is also a good option for minimizing hour glassing distortions.

Bottom finishes weight the fabric to stretch out wrinkles and create a clean finished look. A hem pocket for pipe is most typical, though sometimes tape with lead weights or heavy chain may be specified to allow the fabric to flow more easily.